Cheap AND Good speakers thread

[BoredSysAdmin]

With bunch of other "official threads" popping all other AH forums, I thought to myself - why no thread about cheap and cheerful speakers

As a first exhibit I would like to present Micca MB42X (x is crucial)
Micca MB42x Bookshelf Speakers
Amazon.com: Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers with 4-Inch Carbon Fiber Woofer and Silk Dome Tweeter, Black: Electronics

 

[Ponzio]

Only new or can used speakers be included? What's the maximum we can spend?

 

[zieglj01]

Only new or can used speakers be included?

I would say anything that you still can buy.

Like NXG Pro 4.1 - sold each
Amazon.com: Nxg Pro 4.1 Satellite Speaker (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Electronics

The word on Teac LS-H265 is good (can be found cheaper on Ebay)
TEAC LS-H265 2-Way 5-1/4 in Reference Bookshelf Speakers Pair | Accessories4less

Tannoy Mercury-VR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TANNOY-MERCURY-VR-surround-bookshelf-speakers-Dark-Walnut-pair-/181274193686?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2a34c8af16

 

[afterlife2]

Fluance 5.0 setup: Amazon.com: Fluance AVHTB Surround Sound Home Theater 5.0 Channel Speaker System including Three-way Floorstanding Towers, Center and Rear Speakers: Electronics

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

All depends on what the speakers are being used for, where the speakers are being used, and who are using the speakers.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Only new or can used speakers be included? What's the maximum we can spend?

Upto $300/pair new retail (on sale) - used doesn't count

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for great suggestions so far, but some speakers like Teacs - Does anyone actually heard them and/or measured?

All depends on what the speakers are being used for, where the speakers are being used, and who are using the speakers.

Lets say one could use them in budget 2.1 music system and not be too ashamed of it's sound

Exhibit b) JBL LSR305 Studio Monitor - I have the previous gen of these: LSR2325p and according to at least one reviewer the 305's do sound better.
They are cheaper than 2325p and measure really well
JBL LSR305 Studio Monitors
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Professional-LSR305-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Lets say one could use them in budget 2.1 music system

NHT SuperZero $99 each
Infinity P163 (usually $85 each when on sale)
JBL ES30 $200/pr on sale

Amazon.com: JBL ES30BK 3-Way, 6" Bookshelf Speaker - Black (Pair): Electronics

There are quite a few.

 

[psbfan9]

The obvious choice would be any of the Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers. Also, the Monoprice $78.98 per pair speakers get good reviews. I'm going by reviews only on the AJ's and Monoprice speakers. I have owned the PSB's and the DefTechs. I still own the Deftechs and have used them as mains and in their current role as surrounds. At $299.00, they're a steal.

Premium Home Theater Satellite Speaker (Pair) - Black - Monoprice.com

Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 450 Pair Home Audio Speaker - Newegg.com

PSB - Alpha B1 - Bookshelf Speakers-Audio Advisor

 

[Lulimet]

but some speakers like Teacs - Does anyone actually heard them and/or measured?

I have a pair. I use them with a Denon E300 receiver in my living room. 2.0 only system, no sub. They do a good job with TV and Movies. For music, they are ok for the price. Good mids but the highs are a little harsh if you crank them. Not ear bleeding harsh, but harsh enough to notice.
For $100 they are fine if you need better sound for TV and movies if you are sick of the sound of your TV speakers, but for a strictly music system, you may find better alternatives at their price point or for a few $$ more.

 

[afterlife2]

I can't recall which ones they were, but someone should post some of those build it yourself speaker kits.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The obvious choice would be any of the Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers. Also, the Monoprice $78.98 per pair speakers get good reviews. I'm going by reviews only on the AJ's and Monoprice speakers. I have owned the PSB's and the DefTechs. I still own the Deftechs and have used them as mains and in their current role as surrounds. At $299.00, they're a steal.

Premium Home Theater Satellite Speaker (Pair) - Black - Monoprice.com

Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 450 Pair Home Audio Speaker - Newegg.com

PSB - Alpha B1 - Bookshelf Speakers-Audio Advisor

Thanks PSB,
Setting aside for now Def Teks and PSB - both very respected north america brands, I have my doubts that Monorpice speakers apply to definition of "good" based on this review
Monoprice 6.5 Inch 2 way Bookshelf Review. I know it's based on a different model - http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10904&cs_id=1090407&p_id=8250&seq=1&format=2
but how much really improvement they really done?

The goal of this thread is to find diamonds in the rough, not just bunch of cheap speakers. While AJ's speakers do come very close, but the issues with twitter as Dennis had found out and even has a fix for that, some speakers are just hopeless like ones from Monoprice

 

[rojo]

Re: Cheap AND Good speakers offiicial thread

How about HTD Level Twos?

NHT SuperZero $99 each
Infinity P163 (usually $85 each when on sale)
JBL ES30 $200/pr

No on the ES series JBLs. They aren't very.

I can't recall which ones they were, but someone should post some of those build it yourself speaker kits.

Were you thinking of a Dayton kit on Parts Express? Something on Madisound maybe?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you can find the NHT Absolute Zero on sale for $300/pr, I think it would qualify as "diamond in the rough".

They sound great too.

The NHT Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I can't recall which ones they were, but someone should post some of those build it yourself speaker kits.

One of most famous cheap and cheerful kits based on outstanding Paul Carmody design - Overnight Sensations MT Speaker Kit Pair

One could do much worse than these SQ wise for same money

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No on the ES series JBLs. They aren't very.

How about HTD Level Twos?

I agree ES series from JBL should be erased from history books, that said JBL Studio 230 comes close - for now it's sold for the MSRP price - $400, but few more months and it's price could fall to $300/pr point

Now how about these?
Amazon.com: JBL Studio 130 4-Inch Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair, Black) (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Electronics

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you can find the NHT Absolute Zero on sale for $300/pr, I think it would qualify as "diamond in the rough".

They sound great too.

The NHT Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

Right now with 15% off NHT Absolute Zero = they are $328.5/pr with free US shipping.

 

[zieglj01]

Now how about these?
Amazon.com: JBL Studio 130 4-Inch Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair, Black) (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Electronics

That would be a good option - the Studio 130

I aim from the L series and Studio on up

 

[zieglj01]

One that looks to be another diamond in the rough - the big brother to the SuperZero
NHT SuperOne 2.1
SuperOne 2.1 | Bookshelf Speakers | Premium Audio Equipment

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Right now with 15% off NHT Absolute Zero = they are $328.5/pr with free US shipping.

Of course, actual SQ is salient. And all the NHT speakers seem to sound great.

But, seriously, can anyone find a speaker that measures that well (+0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz)?

That measurement just sticks to my mind forever. How was it possible?